Director Zhang took note of the class and names of two female classmates, took away their phones and said, “I’ll temporarily confiscate your phones and hand them over to your class teacher for safekeeping and disposal later. Now, go back to your physical education class!”
“……Okay,” the two girls sighed and cast a resentful glance at a certain senior who had betrayed them.
Song Jianchu didn’t make eye contact with them.
Director Zhang turned his head and resumed his enthusiastic smile, inviting outstanding graduates, “Your class teacher, Teacher Shang, is teaching right now. Come with me to my office. Today, the principal just gave me a box of good tea leaves.”
Song Jianchu didn’t come back to visit his teachers this time and didn’t prepare any gifts. He directly told Director Zhang, “Don’t bother, I’ll come back to visit the teachers formally next time. Director, can my photo on the school ranking board be taken down?”
“Why take it down?” Director Zhang was stunned and looked at the school ranking board beside him. “You are the most outstanding graduate since the school’s founding, and you are our school’s pride. Since you were admitted to H University, our school has been very popular in admissions in recent years.”
Song Jianchu was a little hesitant and said tactfully, “I graduated two years ago. I think this position should be given to more outstanding younger students.”
Director Zhang smiled and said, “The key is that there is no one more outstanding than you, and you didn’t even leave any room for others to surpass you.”
Song Jianchu: “……”
Song Jianchu looked at his photo at the top of the ranking board and sighed with a headache.
“Oh, I see,” Director Zhang smiled knowingly and pointed at him. “You are now a big celebrity, and isn’t it a bit unsightly to have your photo on this school ranking board?”
Song Jianchu hurriedly said, “No, it’s not like that.”
“Don’t be embarrassed, the teachers understand,” Director Zhang said meaningfully. “Even if you didn’t mention it, we have already thought of it. The teachers who taught you back then have jointly raised objections to the principal.”
Song Jianchu: “?”
“Don’t worry, it’s not just you who thinks so. Our school’s most outstanding graduate is now the richest person on Weibo. This ranking board is too small for such a big shot,” Director Zhang said proudly, raising his thumb. “How about we put your photo on the new monument the school built for you?”
Song Jianchu’s pupils shrank, and he had a bad feeling all of a sudden.
Director Zhang put his arm around Song Jianchu’s shoulder and turned him around, pointing at the school’s iconic round fountain in the middle of the campus. He said mysteriously, “Over there, see it?”
Song Jianchu didn’t wear his contact lenses and vaguely saw a metal sculpture in the middle of the fountain pool that he had never seen before. It was reflecting a golden light in the sunlight, and there was construction going on around it.
“Is that the new school logo?” Song Jianchu squinted his eyes.
“It’s the monument the school built for you!” Director Zhang said.
Song Jianchu: “???”
“In the future, your photo will be mounted on it!” Director Zhang gave him a meaningful look. “How about it, now you won’t think it’s unsightly, right?”
Song Jianchu’s pupils trembled: “……”
“It will be completed by the end of this month,” Director Zhang said, nodding in satisfaction and patting his shoulder. “I was planning to surprise you after it was finished, but you are quite good at finding the right moment yourself.”
On the way home driving, Song Jianchu was stuck in traffic, staring blankly at the car in front of him, carefully considering the acquisition of a school for half an hour.
He made up his mind and was about to call Yin Chi to ask if there was a special process for acquiring a school, when a WeChat message popped up on his phone screen.
[MY: The team-building event will probably end at around 8pm, and we may have some drinks. Can you come and pick me up?]
Song Jianchu’s frustration disappeared in an instant, and he immediately picked up his phone from the car mount and replied.
[Song Jianchu: Okay, but don’t drink too much.]
[MY: Don’t worry, if you’re not sure, you can check me at night.]
Check?
How to check?
Song Jianchu thought of many things in an instant.
Before he could figure it out, a new message popped up in the chat box.
[MY: I’ll message you when it’s over.]
[Song Jianchu: I’ll wait for you.]
Putting down his phone, the traffic in front finally started to move.
Song Jianchu’s mind was full of how to check if someone had drunk too much, like checking for drunk driving? Or…
The action of Mu Ye sniffing lightly at his neck suddenly came to his mind.
The idea of acquiring the school was completely forgotten. Song Jianchu pursed his lips lightly and slowly caught up with the car in front.
For the year-end team-building event, Gu Jiaming had booked a very popular internet celebrity small bar because the owner was easygoing and usually got along well with the employees, and the team atmosphere in the studio had always been good.
The employees had already had a great time, and Mu Ye and Gu Jiaming had picked a quiet corner to drink.
“Are you texting your new friend again?”
Mu Ye put away his phone and said, “Hmm.”
“Where did you meet? You’re staring at your phone waiting for a reply,” Gu Jiaming asked curiously, “Is he also in the entertainment industry?”
Mu Ye picked up the bottle of wine and poured Gu Jiaming a drink, smiling, “He’s an interesting kid.”
Gu Jiaming was stunned for a moment, “Kid? How old? Younger than the Demon King’s little brother?”
Mu Ye raised his eyebrows, “About the same age?”
Gu Jiaming thought to himself that maybe he was a fan of the music industry’s number one idol, like Pei Shinian.
“Someone who can make you take the initiative to socialize with them is definitely not an ordinary person,” said Gu Jiaming. “Your circle of friends is too small, just the few in your drinking buddies group, and they are all in the period of career advancement. Recently, we can only see each other more when we are on variety shows together. You don’t have anyone to talk to all year round, so it’s good to make new friends who you can get along with.”
Mu Ye leaned against the bar, lazily smiling with his fingers on his forehead.
Gu Jiaming picked up his glass, “I’ve been busy as hell these years, I haven’t had time to have a drink with you. Ah, we’ve both been working hard.”
Mu Ye bumped his glass with him, “You’re the one who’s been working harder.”
“As long as you’re doing well, I won’t feel like it’s hard work. Besides, I still have the highest salary in the industry,” Gu Jiaming said with a smile. “Let’s not talk about that between us. Come on, boss, let’s have one. Today is your day to be liberated, let’s drink to our heart’s content!”
Gu Jiaming took the first sip.
Mu Ye smiled, slowly drank his glass of alcohol, and ate a slice of lemon to cleanse his palate.
Four hours later –
The studio staff looked nervously at the two in the corner of the bar.
“Is Brother Gu okay?”
“The boss has a good temper, he should be fine.”
“Mu Ye!”
Gu Jiaming slammed his glass down, his face flushed, and pointed at his boss with his fingers. “You sly fox, hiding under human skin and playing with me like a Chatelaine?!”
The staff looked at each other in disbelief.
“I remember Brother Gu’s contract with his agent expires next year?”
“Should we talk to him?”
Mu Ye looked down, slowly turning the glass on the bar.
Gu Jiaming burped, questioning, “Tell me the truth! Who did you drink with last night? Do you think I’m stupid, Mu Ye?”
Knowing that the person wouldn’t remember the next day, MuYe casually replied, “Hmm.”
The staff couldn’t help but laugh.
“You’re acting again! Even an actor can’t act as well as you.” Gu Jiaming was too drunk to listen. “I called Pei Shinian’s agent this morning, and he lives across from Pei Shinian’s house. He said he didn’t see you at all last night, and you didn’t sleep at Pei Shinian’s house at all!”
Gu Jiaming sneered, “My three-year-old son can lie better than you. Do you really think that your little tricks can fool me?”
Gu Jiaming pointed and sneered, “You’re picking locks and teleporting behind my back. If you have these abilities, why are you still a singer? Go and enjoy yourself with your fox happily ever after! Find a fox hole and practice there for a few years. Don’t let the entertainment circle delay your becoming a fairy!”
The staff’s shoulders shook uncontrollably with laughter.
Mu Ye switched Gu Jiaming’s glass to a hangover drink.
He picked up Gu Jiaming’s constantly vibrating phone and answered it, “Sister-in-law.”
“Xiao Mu ah,” Gu Jiaming’s wife asked gently, “Is Brother Gu with you? Why isn’t he answering his phone?”
“Oh, look who’s here, it’s Mrs. Fox!” Gu Jiaming waved his hand, “Come on, bring all your fox relatives here, I’ll organize a Fox Family Sports Day for you. Let’s see who’s the best, and I’ll personally make sure the winner becomes a god – ugh!”
Mu Ye signaled to his assistant Xiao Liu, who quickly went over to cover Gu Jiaming’s mouth and took him away.
“Was that Gu Jiaming talking just now?” The woman on the phone sounded momentarily dark, then gently laughed, “Did he drink too much?”
“No, he just went to the bathroom.” Mu Ye smiled gently, “Everyone is having a good time today, the team building might end a little later. I’m afraid of disturbing the kids if we go home too late, so Jiaming will sleep at my place tonight, no need to worry, sis-in-law.”
“Okay, you guys have fun.” The woman spoke softly, “Xiao Mu, my husband doesn’t hold his liquor well. If he embarrasses himself by drinking too much, don’t mind him. Just throw him under a bridge and don’t let him bother anyone else.”
“Okay.” Mu Ye said, “Goodbye, sis-in-law.”
Xiao Liu let go of Gu Jiaming’s mouth, who was still talking incessantly, and asked, “Brother Ye, shall we call it a day? I’ll take Jiaming back first.”
“Take him to my place and feed the cat for me.” Mu Ye said, “Thanks.”
Xiao Liu quickly picked up Gu Jiaming, “Sure thing.”
The other employees stood up and got ready to leave.
Mu Ye stood up and said, “You guys continue, leave when you’ve had enough.”
Mu Ye took out two cards from his coat pocket and left the black one for himself, handing the other one to an employee, “I also have something to do, so I’m leaving now. Have fun, guys. You can go wherever you want for the second and third rounds, just swipe this card, you’ve all worked hard this year.”
The employees cheered, “Yeah!! Long live the boss!!”
After leaving the pub, Mu Ye helped Gu Jiaming, who had passed out, onto the car. He watched the car drive away and took out his phone to send a message to the boss.
[MY: It’s done here.]
The boss replied quickly.
[Song Jianchu: Good, I’ve already set off. There’s traffic during rush hour, it’ll take around 20 minutes.]
[MY: No problem, take your time. I want to enjoy the breeze anyway.]
It was already night time.
Mu Ye put on a mask and a hooded jacket and leaned lazily against the neon wall outside the small pub, waiting.
His tall and well-built figure, black coat, and neon-dyed bangs looked like a beautiful and decadent art poster.
Passers-by couldn’t help but look at him.
After drinking some alcohol, Mu Ye suddenly wanted to smoke.
He walked into the 24-hour supermarket next to the pub.
The cashier was slacking off and playing with her phone, casually glancing at the customer who came to the counter.
The man’s hood lightly pressed down on his black and fine hair, and his smoky gray eyes looked sexy due to his indifference. He was scanning the types of cigarettes on the shelves.
The girl’s heart skipped a beat.
Damn! He looks like Mu Ye!
The girl immediately put on the kindest and most beautiful smile: “Hello, what can I help you with?”
Mu Ye’s eyes scanned the mint cigarettes on the shelf, but his phone vibrated in his pocket.
He lowered his head and took out his phone to check the message.
[Song Jianchu: I’m almost there, three minutes.]
The girl was still lost in the moment when the man’s eyes melted like snow and smiled at her. The customer put away his phone and picked up a pack of mint gum from the shelf, handing it to her: “I’ll take this, thank you.”
“Ah… okay.” The cashier returned to her senses and scanned the barcode on the pack of gum. “Five yuan. How do you want to pay? WeChat Pay or Alipay?”
The man put his hand into his coat, and two slender fingers picked out an elegant black card. “Credit card.”